Conrad's Brother Van Exhibit Expanded
GREAT FALLS TRIBUNE
September 15, 2009

CONRAD - Within a year of his arrival in Montana in 1872, Reverend Van Orsdel's works with churches, schools and hospitals earned him a sterling reputation and a legion of parishioners and admirers.
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"Brother Van" is getting a second turn at fame with a new expanded exhibit at Conrad's Transportation and Historical Museum.

Continued at:
http://www.greatfallstrib.../909150307
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See also:

Brother Van Part 1
http://tinyurl.com/musc7c

Brother Van Part 1
http://tinyurl.com/nk6f78

Lind, Robert W. BROTHER VAN: MONTANA PIONEER CIRCUIT RIDER (Helena, MT: SkyHouse Publishers/Falcon Press Pub., 1992).
Notes: Methodist Church -- Montana -- Clergy -- Biography; Named Person: Van Orsdel, William Wesley, 1848-1919. Document Type: Book.

Thanks Hal- good stuff.

Brother Van was travelling late at night somewhere east of Miles
City. A highwayman stepped out from behind a cottonwood, brandishing a pistol, and demanded his wallet and watch.

Brother Van complied, handing over the items, but commented, "Aren't you ashamed of yourself, young man, robbing a poor Methodist preacher?"

The man looked stunned, promptly handed the watch and wallet back, holstered his pistol, and answered "I'm sorry, brother. I'm a Methodist myself."